Our History

1962—A group of dedicated conservationists attend a conference in Montreal and agree that wildlife needs a national voice; the Canadian Wildlife Federation is formed.
1962—Inaugural meeting held in Ottawa. Twenty-one delegates from seven provinces attend.
1963—CWF begins sponsoring National Wildlife Week in co-operation with federal and provincial wildlife agencies.
1963—As early as 1963 the CWF was urging government to further investigate the effects of biocides on wildlife and to impose regulations upon their sale to wildlife would not be damaged unnecessarily. CWF also urged government to establish suitable diagnostic and recording standards for identifying and recording human illnesses or deaths caused by biocide poisoning in Canada.
1964—CWF tackles what was then a little known topic; the effects of pesticide use on wildlife. Urges government to increase research into the harmful effects of these chemicals.
1965—CWF demands that government protect grizzlies and reverse the diminishing numbers.
1965—CWF supports the National Parks Policy recently declared by the government of Canada.
1966—Presents a brief that impacts National Parks policy. It calls for new legislation to cover the way national parks are acquired, developed and administered.
1967—Strongly opposes changes to the boundaries of Wood Buffalo National Park located on the border of Alberta and Northwest Territories. The changes would have allowed commercial development of minerals and resources within the park.
1969—CWF works tirelessly to determine if federal regulations and safeguards for drilling for oil at sea are sufficient to protect the interests of Canadians.
1970—CWF is instrumental in the establishment of the Task Force on Northern Development to study damage to northern ecosystems.
1970—After a slew of devastating oil spills, CWF calls for a moratorium on the transportation of potential pollutants through the northwest passage of Canada’s arctic.
1971—Ocean Pollution: CWF urged government to set up an effective international monitoring system for ocean waters in collaboration with other countries.
1971—CWF, always at the forefront of environmental education, begins university accredited summer programs that provide ecological field training for student teachers.
1971—CWF requests that government enact legislation prohibiting the importation of all forms of aquatic life which pose a potential threat to native species
1972—CWF creates an Endangered Species Program providing vital information about endangered, threatened and rare species in Canada.
1973—CWF publishes Learning About the Environment, providing much needed teaching resources and establishing itself as a leader in environmental education.
1974—Begins distribution of International Wildlife magazine to its members.
1975—Establishes the Orville Erickson Scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to students studying conservation.
1975—The CWF acts as a watchdog over the Arctic and successfully campaigns to have four million hectares designated as a protected area, later known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
1976—CWF Foundation formed to provide funding for wildlife research, programs and scholarships.  With the help of CWF Foundation funding, the hard work of Canadians is making a difference to Canada’s wild species and spaces.
1977—The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is created due in part to CWF’s Endangered Species list initiative.
1977—CWF Education begins developing thematic units to coincide with National Wildlife Week to be used in Canadian schools from coast to coast. Unit 1: Wildlife Management in Canada
1977—CWF begins work on energy conservation and urges all levels of government and the general public to conserve energy to the greatest extent possible.
1977—CWF unequivocally supports a moratorium on the taking of Bowhead whales by any nation.
1978—Works to protect the porcupine caribou herd whose range is in the Yukon and Alaska
1978—Launches major campaign against Acid Rain. Acid Rain went from one of the biggest pollution problems in the world to one of the world’s biggest environmental success stories.
1979—CWF introduces a resolution recognizing the need to protect woodland caribou population in the province of Alberta by having this species placed on the threatened species list.
1979—CWF works to ensure the protection of the woodland caribou by COSEWIC.
1980—CWF funds extensive research to learn more about the effects of toxic substances on New Brunswick’s bald eagles.
1981—Facilitates meetings between the Canadian Forestry Association and appropriate government agencies to better manage forestry and wildlife objectives.
1981—CWF supports efforts to establish new herds of the endangered wood bison.
1981—CWF pushes for forceful action to protect Canada’s whales. Belugas and narwhals were being harvested at a rate that exceeded sustained population levels.
1981—Calls for action to improve caribou populations as herds that range from the Northwest Territories to Manitoba and Saskatchewan continue to decline despite efforts to increase their numbers.
1982—CWF presents Princess Grace of Monaco with a Robert Bateman original painting. The Princess in turn authorizes limited edition prints to fund wood bison introduction in Manitoba.
1982—CWF initiates and co-ordinates a world conservation summit to be held in Canada in 1985.
1982—Stands before the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board to oppose a development that would see tons of sulphur dioxide put into the atmosphere each day.
1982—Works with our American counterpart, National Wildlife Federation on a number of acid rain initiatives
1983—Helps establish a breeding centre for peregrine falcons at McGill University’s Macdonald Raptor Research Centre.
1983—Key player in the development of the federal government’s annual Atlantic Salmon Management plans.
1984—Launches Project WILD, a national education program that teaches young people about wildlife and conservation.
1984—CWF endorses the United Nation’s World Charter for Nature.
1985—CWF successfully campaigns to protect the Newfoundland pine marten. COSEWIC designates it as Threatened; the status is unfortunately upgraded to Endangered in later years.
1985—CWF issues a joint resolution with its American counterpart, NWF about acid rain control as problems of acid rain in the two countries continue to mount.
1986—Sponsors the World Conservation Strategy conference, bringing a global approach to conservation.
1986—CWF takes action to focus public attention on the impact of chemical pollution on wildlife and wildlife habitat throughout Canada.
1986—CWF strongly opposes the establishment of any nuclear waste dump sites in any location in the U.S. that could contaminate Canadian soil, water or air.
1987—CWF campaigns to ban driftnet fishing, this fishing practice can do tremendous ecological damage. The nets are not selective of species and result in large by-catch, trapping many fish, sharks, turtles, seabirds and other marine mammals.
1987—CWF and NWF held a joint annual general meeting in Quebec City, Quebec. Both organizations resolve to urge their respective governments to take immediate action to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions over the shortest possible time period.
1987—CWF urges government to aggressively implement its ongoing program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in eastern Canada by 50 per cent by 1994.
1987—CWF and NWF enter into a joint agreement to protect the Porcupine caribou.
1987—CWF opposes game farming and ranching of large ungulate species. The introduction of game farming of species such as elk, deer, bison, antelope, and caribou can and does pose substantial risks to the indigenous wildlife of Canada through the spread of contagious disease and hybridization between exotic game farm animals and indigenous wildlife.
1988—CWF urges the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to adopt a more open process for consultation with conservation organizations as part of its policy and program development.
1988—CWF develops a management plan for wood bison. Recommends long-term management plans or the wood bison recognize objective of conservation and the close ecological relationships among the wood bison, other plants and animals and their physical environment and that any plans to control diseases include provisions for maintaining genetic diversity.
1988—CWF funds Wood Bison Rehabilitation Project.
1988—CWF published “Rising to the Challenge” a report by Dr. Peter Pearce that helped establish Canada’s freshwater fish policy and protect water resources for all Canadians.
1988—Provides government with a seven point plan for the conservation, restoration, and management of Atlantic salmon.
1988—CWF takes action against the illegal commerce in wildlife and its parts. Urges federal and provincial governments to increase penalties, improve regulation controlling traffic, trade and export and to improve the enforcement of existing regulations.
1989—Launches Habitat 2000, an innovative education program to introduce children to wildlife habitat conservation through a hands on approach.
1989—CWF further develop and promote public education initiatives through National Wildlife Week.
1989—CWF initiates a national strategy for conservation education in Canada with the support of appropriate governmental and non-governmental agencies.
1989—CWF urges the government of Canada to call for national legislation in the US that will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions in that country by not less than 10 to 12 million tons per year by 1994.
1989—CWF urges for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to reverse the global warming trend.
1989—Start of a multi-year project into biological research into wolves and moose in British Columbia
1990—Wins important victory for wildlife when it forces environment minister to submit the Rafferty Alameda dam project in Saskatchewan to the Environmental Assessment and Review Process.  The ruling by the Federal Court sets legal precedent.
1990—Learning About Wildlife Unit: Local Action Brings Worldwide Results
1990—Develops important wildlife policy for Canada, definition of wildlife now includes algae, bacteria fungi and other wild organisms plants, invertebrate, reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well as mammals and birds.
1990—Produces documentary “A Cry for the Common Loon.”
1990s—Very active in the establishment of recycling programs in municipalities across the country. CWF offices are quick to adopt and lead the way on all new recycling practices.
1990—CWF supports the creation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
1990—CWF urges the IUCN to direct the International Maritime Organization to develop policy on the global transport of exotic species by ships and urges the federal government develop statutory enforceable regulations to control transfers and introductions of exotic species for all ocean going vessels travelling in Canadian waters.
1991— CWF delivers recommendations for a National Recycling Program.
1991—CWF launches major campaign to save the endangered whooping crane. The species once numbered as few as 15 now has a population estimated at over 400.
1991—CWF encourages the federal, provincial and territorial premiers and wildlife ministers to implement a Wildlife Policy for Canada.
1992—Invests in multi- year project to research wood bison.
1992—Works to have Hare Bay, a region on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland designated as a National Marine Park.
1993—Adopts policy to protect old-growth forests
1993—Publishes report “The Effects of Forest Management Practices on Wildlife”
1995—CWF published its first issue of Canadian Wildlife magazine. The magazine is home to leading-edge stories on Canadian wildlife and boasts some of the best nature photography in the world.
1996—CWF supports the introduction and implementation of endangered species legislation by federal, provincial and territorial governments.
1998—CWF was the founding supporter of the Canada Forest Accord to champion the long-term health of our forest ecosystems.
1998—Joins with the National Wildlife Federation to endorse International Year of the Ocean. CWF develops ocean-education materials. Begins to encourage communities, school groups and individuals to actively participate in Oceans Day activities, raising awareness about the importance of oceans, the urgency to conserve sea life and marine habitat, and the need to prevent pollution from land based and open ocean activities.
1999—Partners to understand juvenile burrowing owl survival and foraging habitat selection.
1999—CWF launched the Backyard Habitat Program to encourage Canadians to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and create an oasis in their own backyards for wildlife to enjoy.
2000—Works with Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Leatherback Turtle Working Group.
2001—Launches Faune jeunesse, an innovative environmental education program.
2001—Learning About Wildlife Unit:  Our Community Includes Wildlife
2001—Establishes an award to promote and recognize youth groups and their leaders who have undertaken wildlife, habitat and conservation related projects or activities.
2002—CWF opposes hydrocarbon exploration in the arctic national refuge and encourages the U.S. government to permanently protect the coastal plain to ensure perpetual ecological integrity and wilderness values for future generations.
2002—Increases advocacy efforts calling for the DFO to focus research on the environmental impacts of aquaculture.
2002—Increases advocacy efforts to call for a ban and decommission of all cervid game farms in all provinces and territories in Canada.
2002—Calls on government to commission an environmental impact assessment for all game farms that contained chronic wasting disease positive herds.
2003—The Hinterland Who’s who, hww.ca, a popular wildlife series of vignettes is re-launched by CWF in partnership with Environment Canada.
2003—Recognizing that Canada has the longest coastline and most freshwater of any nation CWF supports the concept of marine protected areas.
2003—Encourages the completion of the Marine Protected Area designation for the Sable Gully off the coast of Nova Scotia.
2004—Launches Invasive Species project
2004—Takes a leadership role in the development of education and awareness initiatives surrounding invasive alien species in Canada
2004—Supports the development of a proposed strategic plan addressing the threat of invasive alien species.
2004—Supports the development of wind generated facilities in Canada as a means to produce emissions-free electricity as long as environmental impact assessments are carried out.
2004—Supports the establishment of Scott Islands off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island as a Marine Wildlife Area.
2006—Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program.
2006—Stewardship project to create awareness and protect Canada’s species at risk.
2007—Urges the federal government to implement stringent legislation that will significantly reduce total greenhouse gas emissions in all industrial sectors.
2007—CWF encourages and informs Canadians to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by promoting energy efficiency and conservation in all aspects of daily life.
2007—CWF began celebrating Oceans Day and Canadian Rivers Day together every June during Rivers to Oceans Week – ROW. ROW is committed to raising awareness about the health of Canada’s waters.
2008—The CWF and National Wildlife Federation sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
2008—CWF Brings Water Issues to International Conservation Forum.
2009—Urges Government to Begin Restoring International Reputation on Environment.
2009—Encourages all levels of government to develop and implement climate change adaptation plans and that those plans adequately reflect the needs of wildlife.
2009—Urges the government of Canada to allot a percentage of revenue derived from carbon market based mechanisms, if imposed, to fish, wildlife and habitat resource conservation in Canada.
2009—CWF encourages the development and application of protocols for measuring, reporting and verifying biological sequestration activities in a variety of habitats.
2009—CWF sponsors 5th World Environmental Education Congress in Montreal.
2009—Creation of CWF Learning Institute
2009—CWF launches $1-million Endangered Species Fund to support the work of Canada’s top conservation researchers and help conserve at-risk species and the habitats they rely on to survive.
2010—Government of Nunavut and CWF Officially Partner for WILD Education.
2011—Joins long-time friend of CWF Robert Bateman, and the Get to Know organization to sponsor work to connect youth with nature.
2011—Launches All Access Adventure Auction with Survivorman, Les Stroud.
2011—CWF’s certifies Lawrencetown, NS as Canada’s first Backyard Habitat Community.
2011—The Canadian Wildlife Federation commends the decision to list the polar bear as a species of special concern under the Species at Risk Act.